Jorrit Oppewal

Reading ‘America, América: a new history of the new world’, by #GregGrandin, saw this passage on 1622 massacre of settlers at Jamestown Virginia.

The English then (ab)used it for self-defence arguments to destroy all Indians and take all their land. Sounds eerily familiar #Gaza

The UK should recognize a Palestinian state now The time is right to make this symbolically important move, says Bronwen Maddox, but that should not distract attention from the most urgent task of securing relief in Gaza.

Thread 🧵

Prime Minister Keir Starmer should lead his cabinet to agreement on recognizing a Palestinian state now.

Recognition of a state is only a symbol. But it sends a clear message. @bronwenmaddox.bsky.social explains why the time has come for the UK to recognize 🇵🇸.

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YouTube video by ZoufrisMaracas Zoufris Maracas - Pâle Estime

The failure of western countries to take effective measure to stop the genocide in #Gaza is maddening.

Music has the power to help cope with the range of emotions this stirs.

For example: protest song Pale Estime (in French) by Zoufris Maracas. Shivers down the spine.

youtu.be/m3xjdSv_gtg?...

US sends migrants to Eswatini as it steps up deportation campaign Second time Donald Trump’s administration has flown people to African nations

Good to see remarks by Nigerian 🇳🇬 foreign minister Tuggar:

"US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the US, some straight out of prison. We have enough problems of our own . . . for crying out loud,” he said.

on.ft.com/4kIbXa4 via @FT

É sobre respeito e soberania.

Green business partners: Why Europe should invest in climate-led companies in Africa European investment in Africa should focus on climate-smart business. This will develop the continent’s resilient infrastructure, secure job creation and support sustainable food systems—while…

European investment in #Africa should focus on climate-smart business. This will develop the continent’s resilient infrastructure, secure job creation and support sustainable food systems—while strengthening Europe’s hand amid geopolitical turbulence. ♻️💰 @ecfr.eu

Waarom duurt het in NL zoveel langer om verkiezingen te organiseren dan elders?

Volgens mij gaat het in Frankrijk, Spanje en VK vaak binnen 4-6 weken.

Waarom in NL 5 maanden? Met steeds korter zittende kabinetten, belangrijk om dit te versnellen. Anders zitten we meer tijd zonder dan met kabinet

The End of the Global Aid Industry USAID’s demise is an opportunity to prioritize industrialization over charity.

With the Trump administration’s full-scale destruction of USAID, the global aid industry is at an inflection point. This could be an opportunity to shift the system from charity to industrialization, writes Zainab Usman in @foreignaffairs.com ⬇️

The End of the Global Aid Industry USAID’s demise is an opportunity to prioritize industrialization over charity.

I highly recommend this piece by the brilliant Dr. Zainab Usman of @carnegieendowment.org‬:

www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state... via @foreignaffairs.com

Trade and Development Report 2024 Rethinking development in the age of discontent

Valid questions. Im also skeptical, especially regarding African LDCs. For Asian MICs, there may be something to it. Also see UNCTAD TDR: unctad.org/publication/...

Global growth is set to slow to 2.3% in 2025 amid rising trade tensions.

But South-South trade — now a third of global trade — offer resilience and opportunity, says a new @unctad.bsky.social report.

Find out more ▶️ ow.ly/Wj7U50VBxhe

How a country Donald Trump never ‘heard of’ ended up in his crosshairs Lesotho, which US trade policy turned into a hub for Levi’s jeans and Trump-branded golf shirts, faces economic devastation

On the impact of Trump's tariffs on Lesotho 🇱🇸 main job-creating sector, textiles.

No wonder 🇱🇸 now trying to please Trump in any way, in hope of obtaining confessions.

Its a painful sight, though, a small poor country having to go through this vis a vis the powerful US.

- on.ft.com/4cxNGRq

Malaria vaccines are a huge opportunity to save lives. Will the world’s rich countries drop the ball. Visit this today’s Chartbook Top Link for more.

China’s rare earth export restrictions threaten Washington’s military primacy Beijing’s ability to prevent US access to rare earths puts Washington’s long-term strategic goals at risk.

Alongside retaliatory tariffs, Beijing has deployed another economic weapon in its arsenal in response to Donald Trump: its ability to control the global supply of rare earth minerals.

Donald Trump’s championing of Afrikaner grievances sparks backlash in South Africa US president and his adviser Elon Musk seize on discredited claims to launch economic assault against African nation

on.ft.com/3G72v1m Donald Trump’s championing of Afrikaner grievances sparks backlash in South Africa 🇿🇦

> 30 years after end of apartheid, white — 7% of population — are typically far wealthier than their Black compatriots. University estimates white farmers own 47% of the land and black farmers 11%

European travellers cancel US visits as Trump’s policies threaten tourism, via @financialtimes.com

Live news: Dollar slumps to 3-year low as Treasury yields soar Analysts point to crisis of confidence in US currency amid chaotic rollout of Trump tariffs

Live news: Dollar slumps to 3-year low as Treasury yields soar - on.ft.com/4icCb3e via @FT

“The question of a potential dollar confidence crisis has now been definitively answered — we are experiencing one in full force,” said Francesco Pesole, an FX strategist at ING."

"Rather than chasing a Silicon Valley mirage, policymakers should focus on building the structures and capabilities that enable governments to be responsive, resilient and effective"

Great to read that UCL IIPP is working on a Public Sector Capabilities Index, which can help with this.

We face a looming rice crisis The future of one of the world’s most important foodstuffs is mired in a stew of science, politics and economics

Cuts to development spending are having negative impact on so many fronts. Also on research into better rice varieties, crucial to feed the world amid worsening climate change.

We face a looming rice crisis - on.ft.com/3R8Dsx2 via @FT

UN trade chief asks US to rethink tariffs on poorest nations Levies will harm global south without meeting Trump’s objectives, says Rebeca Grynspan

UN trade chief asks US to rethink tariffs on poorest nations - on.ft.com/4j4ByKl via @FT

@unctad.bsky.social official urges USA to spare world’s poorest countries from high tariffs.

She's right.

After yesterday's announcement, I'd add, they should also be exempt from the general 10% rate.

Africa imports over 70% of its medicines.

Local pharmaceutical production is limited but has strong potential.

With the right incentives, it can improve access, affordability and resilience.

UNCTAD report calls for bold investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

▶️ ow.ly/VVrk50VxyTn

Presidente Lula e a presidenta do México, Claudia Sheinbaum, trocam aperto de mão olhando para a câmera

Me reuni com a companheira presidenta do México Claudia Sheinbaum. Conversamos sobre conjuntura econômica na Am Latina e Caribe e no mundo. Decidimos estreitar mais as relações entre nossos países promovendo agendas periódicas entre nossos governos e setores produtivos da indústria
📸 RicardoStuckert

Dani Rodrik argues the route of export-oriented industrialization has closed.

"While manufacturing remains important, developing countries need to upgrade domestic services such as care, retail and hospitality, where the bulk of jobs will be."

Tourists canceling trips to the US.

"The precedents are deeply uncomfortable. The last time the Treasury market seized up was during market convulsions that accompanied the onset of the covid-19 pandemic"

Waking up to wild Trump tariffs (but glad to see that VDL was already defending EU interest during a press conference at 5am)

Many economists will undoubtedly offer smart economic analysis, but short 🧵 with geopolitical pointers 1/5

Competing visions of international order Responses to US power in a fracturing world

Competing visions of international order: Responses to US power in a fracturing world @ChathamHouse

World class scholars and experts joined our collaboration to write on one of the very most fundamental questions of our time www.chathamhouse.org/2025/03/comp...

A stable and predictable ODA budget

Very insightful, thanks for sharing!

The NL government is making large cuts to the foreign aid budget, but at the same time has also announced that the share of aid spent on in-donor-refugee-costs will be capped at 10% from 2027.

See also www.advisorycouncilinternationalaffairs.nl/documents/pu...

How much foreign aid is actually spent domestically rather than overseas?

In a new article for @ourworldindata.org, @hannahritchie.bsky.social and I examine how this differs between countries, how it has changed over time, and what this means for supporting developing countries. (1/9)

There’s a certain form of paternalism out there that refuses to acknowledge this fact.

This, of course, isn’t just about personal income. It’s also about the sorts of social and physical “civic goods” that high-income affords societies.